In the spirit of Ramadan, a group of Bradford residents have gone beyond fundraising, travelling thousands of miles to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the world’s most vulnerable families.
Led by Ridwana Wallace of Islamic Help, the team raised more than £100,000 before embarking on a humanitarian mission to Jordan, where they delivered aid directly to Syrian and Palestinian refugees living in challenging conditions.
For many involved, this was not just a charity trip, it was a life-changing experience rooted in faith, community and a deep sense of responsibility.
The group brought together people from across Bradford, including families, professionals and young students. Among them were father and daughter duos Fiza and Diwan Janjua, and Asud and Alisha Iqbal, alongside aspiring medic Aisha Wallace, mental health therapist Ayesha Bhatti, and Humma Nizami, CEO of the Race Equality Network in Bradford, all united by a shared commitment to give back during Ramadan.
On the ground, volunteers witnessed both resilience and hardship. Ms Wallace described conditions as “dire”, highlighting severe limitations in basic infrastructure.
“There is just one police station serving more than 40,000 people, and only two schools where children attend whenever they can,” she said.
Many of the families the team met are long-term refugees, including those originally from Gaza who have been living in Jordan since 1967. Without formal identification, many are unable to work, making them heavily reliant on aid.
In a video recorded during the trip, Bradford-based community leader Humma Nizami said the reality was stark.
“These are families with orphans, disabled children, people who have been here for decades with no access to employment. Basic food and hygiene kits are not a luxury, they are essential.”
Volunteers visited families supported through orphan sponsorship programmes, delivering food packs and vital supplies while hearing first-hand accounts from widows, displaced families and children growing up amid uncertainty.
Alongside distributing aid, the team also helped transform a donated building into a functioning school and community hub.
What was once a run-down space has now been revitalised with fresh paint, learning areas and a new computer lab, which will help teach IT skills, including AI, creating opportunities for education, skills development and future employment.
The volunteers also spent time engaging with children through games, conversations and photos, bringing moments of joy and normality to young lives shaped by displacement.
“It was deeply humbling,” said Ms Wallace. “You hear about these situations, but nothing prepares you for meeting people face-to-face, hearing their stories, seeing their strength, and realising how much even small acts of support mean.”
Islamic Help, which has been operating in Jordan since 2012, provides long-term support including healthcare, education, clean water and family sponsorship schemes. The Bradford team’s fundraising will help sustain these vital services long after Ramadan has ended.
But beyond the figures, the mission has left a lasting impact on those who took part.
“It wasn’t just about giving,” Ms Wallace added. “It was about connection, about solidarity. It reminded us that humanity has no borders.”
Back home, she hopes the story will inspire others across Bradford to act, whether through donations, volunteering or simply raising awareness.
“You don’t have to travel to make a difference,” she said. “Every single contribution can change and even save a life.”
Ramadan may have ended, but the giving continues. This mission stands as a powerful reminder of what collective action can achieve, turning compassion into real, lasting change.
